Dease Lake British Columbia to Coal River Lodge British Columbia 254 miles
Once again the weather is very cloudy. Looking out the window we could determine it had rained over night. Connie fixed ham on half a ciabatta bun plus peach yoghurt for breakfast. The lodge where we are staying has a shared kitchen. Last night we had pork chop and salad. That was a nice change. We quietly got out and loaded the car. Rain got in the engine so the woodie refused to start. Ultimately we had to ask the lodge manager to help push until Rob could pop it into gear to start it. The guy had never done that. He videoed us driving away. We still had to get gas which was less than a quarter of a mile away. Thank goodness it started again. A very light rain is falling still. In fact we had light rain most of the day. The woodie has only one small windshield wiper on the driver’s side so Connie looked through polka dots all day. The mosquitos are terrible up here. Any time the door is opened several come in and they are hungry. Connie killed one on the window curtain that left a blood stain nearly the size of a penny. The clouds are down very low so the mountain tops are hidden. The road goes up and the road goes down. The road curves left and the road curves right. Sometimes the road has lines but mostly not. Seems to be more motor homes and trailers today. Most have a number on the upper driver’s side corner so we think they were all at some gathering. We saw a pretty fox running down the road with something in its mouth. It ran off the road before we got to it. We also saw a mother bear and two cubs cross the road 400 or so feet in front of us. By the time we got to where they crossed they were out of sight. We have seen signs warning of caribou and bison but haven’t seen any of either. We stopped at one gas station only to find out that is open for one hour three days a week and today is not one of those days. Finally we are at the junction with the Canada Highway 1. The road is much wider and usually marked. It also has less hills. We cross into the Yukon Territory. Another few miles brings us to Watson Lake with a population of about 800. This is the second largest town in the Yukon. Oh my we actually had a little cell coverage. We stopped for gas and everyone had to come check out the car. We had lunch at the little cafe at the gas station. The burgers must be half pounders with lettuce, onions, pickles and tomato. Connie had bacon and mushrooms on hers. She couldn’t get it in her mouth. A plate full of fries came with it for only $14.64 US. While waiting for our lunch Connie spotted a man with a Green Bay Packers shirt. We visited with him until our meals came. After lunch we crossed the road to see some of the sign forest. Here are lots and lots of poles with all kinds of signs nailed to them. The whole thing started when the Alaska Highway was being constructed in 1942. The rain was still falling so we didn’t look long. Too bad we didn’t have a sign. Then we came to a detour around some construction. The pilot car took us on a gravel road around the work. So much for staying on paved roads. We fueled one more time before reaching our lodging at Coal River. The fuel pumps this far north are not always self serve. They have been in use a long time. We got to our lodging about 4:00. Just another wide spot in the road. Out back however is a heard of wild buffalo. After getting the luggage in we went to the cafe for pie and coffee. Then talked to one couple from Medford Oregon and one young lady moving to Anchorage Alaska to teach first grade. She graduated from Boise State in May. No cell coverage here so they have a pay phone. No tv either so lots of DVDs.
Spoffords Travel 